AUCHENIPTERIDAE FAMILY
The Auchenipteridae or Driftwood catfish family includes about 65 species distributed throughoutSouth America.Driftwood catfish are usually nocturnal, although some may be diurnal at some point. Themost commonly imported genera are
Auchenipterichthys
and
Trachycorystes.
Wood Catfish
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Trachycorystes insignis
SYN
:
Auchenipterichthysinsignis, Parauchenipterus insignis
PD
: An elongated species having a stocky body in the frontal regions, while becoming compressednear rear parts. The back profile is straight and the dorsal fin is tall when erect. There is a small adipose fin, and thecaudal fin is large and slightly forked.The first ray of the anal fin in the male is modified into a reproductiveorgan for internal fertilization.The rest of the anal fin has a long base and is rounded. The coloration is variable, althoughthe back is generally dark brown and the flanks are brownish-pink with dark brown markings. The fins are similarly marked. Thereare three pair of barbels branching off the mouth.
SIZE
: To 6" (15 cm)
SS
: Other Driftwood Catfish.
H
: South America; widespread throughout Amazon watershed
A
: bottom
TANK
: A 36" (91 cm) or 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is sufficient. The substrate should be fine gravelor sand. Provide hiding places among rocks, roots, and plants.
WATER
: pH 5.8-7.7 (6.9), 2-18 dH (10), 68-77°F (20-25°C)
SB
: A nocturnal, peaceful species that will eat small fish. Young fish school and may be day-active. Combinewith larger fish.
SB
: Pacus, Silver Dollars,
Pimelodus, Cichlasoma, Anostomus, Hypostomus
FOOD
: Live; fish, worms, crustaceans, insect larvae; tablets
SC
: Males have a modified anal fin (urinogenital organ) which is slightly concave. Thepelvic and dorsal fins are more pointed in the male.
B
: The male embraces the female by holding her between his dorsal fins. The eggs are deposited in a cleanedarea and are guarded.The eggs hatch after five days and the fry can be first fed small live foods.
BP
: 9.Breeding is unusual in captivity and has only been accomplished on a few occasions accidentally.
R
: This species is the most commonly seen Driftwood catfish in the hobby. Like other Driftwood Cats, this specieshas a slimy coat.
DC
: 6.This predatory species requires live foods.
Shark-repelling fishing gear in the works
(4/23/2008) Fishing gear that produces an electric field in sea water could help prevent sharks from becoming accidental bycatch, say scientists at NOAA.
Feds flood the Grand Canyon to save endangered fish
(3/5/2008) Federal government officials unleashed a flood of water from Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona to help restore the Grand Canyon's ecosystem which has suffered as a result of changes caused by the dam.
The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.
